Governor Announces Effort to Bring College Football Championship to Minnesota

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - Gov. Mark Dayton was joined today by University of Minnesota Football Coach Jerry Kill in announcing the state’s bid to host the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.

“The College Football Playoff Championship would bring thousands of visitors to Minnesota and showcase our state to millions of Americans,” said Governor Mark Dayton. “We will pursue this premiere sporting event with the same determination that secured the 2018 Super Bowl and 2019 Final Four Tournament.”

A pair of Twin Cities businessmen, Scot Housh of the Willis of Minnesota Corporation and Land O’ Lakes President Chris Policinski, will co-chair the effort to bring the huge sporting event to the new Vikings stadium.

Coach Kill, former Vikings star and NFL Hall of Famer Randall McDaniel, and McKnight Foundation Board Chair Erika Binger were named honorary co-chairs of the effort during an event held Tuesday morning.

The formal bid will be submitted later this month, and Dayton says he expects a site visit by tournament organizers this summer. An announcement concerning the locations of the football championships for 2018, 2019 and, 2020 is expected in October.